OBS sale continues upward trend for year

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. closed out its 2013 auction season with yet another positive sale on Wednesday, during the second day of the fall mixed sale.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. closed out its 2013 auction season with yet another positive sale on Wednesday, during the second day of the fall mixed sale.

For the day, the sales company posted modest gains of nearly $1.5 million over the more than $1.2 million they sold in 2012. But that came on the heels of a 53 percent jump in sales on Tuesday when more than $2.6 million was spent on 116 horses. That was up from the $1.74 million spent in 2012 for 123 horses.

Overall, the sale was up by more than 40 percent over 2012.

All six OBS sales this year, which included 2-year-old, weanling, yearling and older thoroughbreds, posted sharp increases over 2012 totals. While most of the thoroughbred auctions across the country did well, OBS posted some gaudy numbers, especially in the record-setting spring sale of 2-year-old thoroughbreds in April. That four-day sale saw 802 thoroughbreds sell for more than $44.5 million, a 45 percent increase over the more than $33.5 million that 771 horses brought in 2012.

“Our 2-year-old sales were up, we had a record-setting April sale, our August sale was up and this sale was up 40 percent. We started off well at the start of the year and the momentum has kept up the whole way through. We couldn't be happier,” said Tod Wojciechowski, OBS director of sales, on Wednesday.

Wojciechowski said he has seen more sellers willing to bring horses from Kentucky to the OBS sales and also has seen an increase in buyers.

“We have been following an uptick in the industry, where supply and demand are concerned, but we are seeing numbers here that are comparable to '06 and '07, before the bubble of '08,” he said.

The demand for thoroughbreds has grown because of historically low numbers of horses being bred.

Wojciechowski hopes OBS can grow the quality of horses that are brought to the sale.

“Our sale results this year will help us as we recruit horses. The horses bring the buyers, and while we do work on buyer recruitment, I think that given our results this year there will be a greater confidence among horse owners to sell their horses here in Ocala,” Wojciechowski said.

On Wednesday, two horses sold for $70,000 to top the session. The first was a 5-year-old mare named Because I Like It. The mare was in foal to High Cotton and was purchased by Coteau Grove Farm. One hip earlier, her weanling colt - also by High Cotton - sold for $25,000. He was bought by Rustlewood Farm. Summerfield Sales consigned both horses.

“She was a good-looking mare, and correct. She had one nice foal that was at the sale and she got back in foal in one cover. She was doing what a broodmare is supposed to do. She had some pedigree and she ran, finishing second (by a 1/2 length) in the J J'sdream Stakes down at Calder to eventual champion 2-year-old Awesome Feather,” said Frances Vanlangendonck of Summerfield.

The second $70,000 horse was a weanling by Wilburn. She sold to Christine Hosier and was consigned by Beth Bayer.

The next OBS sale is the Winter Fall Mixed Sale, scheduled for Jan 21 and Jan. 22.